Canyon native, Annalisa Mayhew hired as WT’s spirit team head coach

CANYON, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — West Texas A&M University hired Annalisa Mayhew to lead their spirit program ahead the 2024-2025 school year.

Mayhew, a Canyon native, is also a former WT cheerleader and graduate of the university returns to her alma mater with experience and a sense of gratitude.

“The four years I was here, I made so many connections and lasting memories that it is honestly an honor to be able to come back and hopefully do the same to those students that come to me,” said Mayhew.

According to WT officials after graduating from WT, Mayhew began working at Universal Cheerleaders Association, known for their cheer competitions, camps and being a global leader in the cheer industry. As a UCA staff member Mayhew spent time travelling regionally and nationally coaching cheerleaders on traditional crowd leading while incorporating high level skills safely and effectively.

Now back at WT, Mayhew plans to grow the program that helped shape her into the person she is today.

“Growth is my mindset right now,” explained Mayhew. “I want to grow my game day team. I want to build up my Maroon Motion team right now, build interest in that and really make a presence for Bucky the mascot. Really grow him on campus and get him out there to the community as well.”

WT’s spirit program is the Student Affairs Division, under the office of Student Engagement and Leadership. The program is comprised of the game day team, Maroon Motion and the university Mascot. The team supports WT athletic teams and university organizations.

“You have the maroon motion team, which is your dancers, and then you have our game day team, which is going to be your crowd leaders,” said Mayhew. “And all of these come together to really enhance that game day experience. The dancers are going to be your entertainers. Bucky is the school spirit presence, and then your game day, that’s going to be crowd leading, helping really connect the fans to the game and just bring that energy.”

WT’s spirit team had camp at the beginning of August and plans to start work week on the 18th. Mayhew shared she enjoyed meeting the team at camp and is excited to continue building on their current skills.

“They are incredible,” said Mayhew. “Honestly, that was my first time meeting my team and just the energy and the spirit that they bring, I know we are the spirit team, but they are really a spirited group of people, and they’re hungry. They really, really want to grow and be the best that they can for this university and represent WT in the best way possible.”

WT’s spirit team will be introduced on Sept. 14., before the first home football game of the season against Western Colorado at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.

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